Asia is a stunning continent with huge areas of coastline, so there is no better way to explore Asia than by boat! Here are our top six cruises, personally selected by Asia specialist Nathan, to inspire your very own boat trip around some of Asia’s most iconic and beautiful sites.

Step away from the typical tourist trail to discover the hidden gems of Asia and India. Explore an enchanting world of stunning temples, remote villages and untouched paradises on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Asia.

Few places can compete with China when it comes to its wealth of history and culture. Spend your China honeymoon walking along the impressive Great Wall, marvelling at the 8,000 strong Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an, or admiring the harmonious juxtaposition of old and new in Shanghai. Pairing China's incredible scenery and diverse culture with its most luxurious hotels and lodges will ensure you have a honeymoon to remember.

Steeped in history, and breathtaking scenery, China is certainly one of the world’s most interesting family holiday destinations. Aside from its fascinating culture, the history of this ancient country is represented in the architecture of its cities and villages, as well as in the country’s most famed attraction: the Great Wall of China. Children can enjoy seeing pandas up close in Chengdu, whilst parents can soak up the impressive cosmopolitanism of Beijing or Shanghai.

The perfect balance between the buzzing cities of Beijing and Shanghai, and the idyllic, rural regions of traditional China. Enjoy visiting some of China’s most famous sights, staying at carefully chosen hotels to make your journey that extra bit special.

A once in a lifetime journey involving pandas, ancient monasteries, towering mountains and some of China’s most breath-taking scenery, sandwiched between the two vibrant cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

From the Great Wall of China to the spectacular landscapes of the Li River and the impressive Terracotta Army, enjoy the finest elements of China, both past and present, on this classic journey through this wonderful country.

Shangri-La Chengdu

Chengdu, China

Best for: Culture History, Wildlife, Family

The Shangri-La Chengdu is a five-star hotel in the centre of Sichuan’s vibrant capital. Offering superb facilities and views of the Jinjiang River, the Shangri-La is the city’s top hotel and a superb base for visiting the nearby giant panda sanctuary.

The Shangri-La is opulence at its best. Enter the stunning lobby and you will be greeted with rich furnishings and contemporary art giving you a foretaste of the rest of the hotel. There are 593 spacious contemporary guest rooms and suites as well as 26 serviced apartments. Superior and Deluxe rooms feature views of Chengdu’s elegant city centre while Executive River View Rooms have feature wonderful views of the Jinjiang River. There are five different suites, each with a different layout, and including a separate living area.

The Shangri-La Chengdu hosts some of finest restaurants in Chengdu including the Shang Palace which serves authentic Cantonese and Sichuanese dishes, Cafe Z serving a range of dishes from South America, the Middle East, Asia and China, and Mooney’s providing a lively atmosphere with draft beer and live music. For a quieter evening there is the Lobby Lounge, whose floor-to-ceiling windows provide a perfect backdrop for a nightcap. There is also an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and a wonderful spa offering among other things, herbal steam treatments that soothe away the rigours of travelling in China.

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province, known as the Heavenly State. Other than enjoying the city of Chengdu itself, the main activity for guests staying at the Shangri-La is a trip out to the panda breeding centre for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these incredible and endangered animals up close as well as learn about the efforts for conservation that are undertaken here.

When to go

Chengdu weather is mild and humid all year round, featuring four clear-cut seasons – long and warm spring, short and sultry summer, cool and rainy autumn, cold and foggy winter.

The distinctive characteristic of Chengdu weather is foggy and humid, so there are fewer hours of sunlight per day, and the summer is hotter and the winter is colder than the temperature shows. The rainy season is usually in July and August, with occasional storms. Thus, the best time to visit Chengdu is March to June and September to November

We want to be really clear about this. We offer amazing value. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive, it simply means attention to every detail of your trip arranged by a true expert.

Here at Imagine Asia, we are so confident that we offer the best value on the market that we have a price promise. If you find the exact same holiday cheaper with another UK tour operator, then we promise to beat their price by £50.

Rest assured that all our holidays are 100% financially protected. Our ATOL bond protects holidays booked in the UK with flights. Our ABTOT bond protects holidays which are booked without flights or those booked outside the UK, either with or without flights.

Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.